Telegraph journalist Matt Law has said there is nothing in the report that linked Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez with a move to Chelsea.
Many outlets, including the Metro, have picked up on reports from Italian outlet Tuttosport on Tuesday morning that claimed Chelsea had begun talks with Benitez.
However, Law has scotched this news saying, “Chelsea won’t comment at all on managerial process but my sources tell me they don’t think there is anything in the Rafa Benitez link coming from Italy. Any angry fans can probably relax.”
Chelsea won't comment at all on managerial process but my sources tell me they don't think there is anything in the Rafa Benitez link coming from Italy. Any angry fans can probably relax.
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) June 11, 2019
OPINION
This is good news for Newcastle fans who will be getting worried, with Benitez’s contract set to expire on June 30th and no conclusion to the talks held with their manager. The Tuttosport report came out of the blue but it looks like it’s a case of an overzealous reporter linking empty club with possibly available manager. The other bit of good news for Newcastle fans is that Roma confirmed Paulo Fonseca as their new manager today and the clubs that could potentially be a new home for Benitez are running out. However, that doesn’t get round the fact that Benitez still hasn’t signed a new deal at Newcastle and time is running out. Talk of a takeover from the Bin Zayed Group has muddied the waters further at St James’ Park, but with the summer window open, Premier League fixtures due out next week and players due back for pre-season, this isn’t the ideal preparation for Newcastle. It’s nothing new for the fans – this is what life is like under Mike Ashley – but it doesn’t make it any easier. At least they might be able to relax slightly with the news that it doesn’t look like Benitez is heading south this summer to take over at one of their Premier League rivals.